Shutter apparatus for radiators



J. F. RALEIGH SHUTTER APPARATUS FOR RADIATORS June 12, 1923. 1,458,593

Filed March 1, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 zz HI I Drb IIIII 31 1-- a InurflorJames FRoAmgh g (I 1., a

June 12, 1923. 1,458,593

J. F..RALEIGH SHUTTER APPARATUS FOR RADIATORS Filed March 1, 1920 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Inuenfov Jamas FRcfleigh June 12, 1923. 1,458,593

' J. F. RALEIGH SHUTTER APPARATUS FOR RADIATORS Filed Marh 1, 1920 4Sheets-Sheet 5 Inuerflor James Ffialeigh June 12, 1923. 1,458,593

J. F. RALEIGH SHUTTER APPARATUS FOR RADIATORS Filed March 1, 1 920 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Inue n for JQmesFRQXeugh.

reamed June 12, 1923. v 1,458,593 n rao STATES PATENT OFFICE;

JAMES r; RALEI H; or Hmmo',.m1 ms, assrenoa ro rmns murac'runme comrm,or cnrcneo, rLLmoIsA conroaarxon or nnnawann;

SHUTTER APPARATUS FOR BADIATOBS.

Application filed March 1, 1920. Serial No. 882,515,

To allwhomit ma concern: manner of attaching the shutter apparatus Be itknown tl'i at I, JAMEs F. RALEIGH, to the radiator;

a citizen of the United States, residin at Figure 3 is a view inperspective of the Chicago, in the county of Cook and Silate shell ormain frame forming part of the 5 of Illinois, have invented a'certainnew and shutter apparatus, the same being consider- 60 usefulImprovement in Shutter Apparatus ablybroken away to conserve space onthe for Radiators, of which the following is a drawings, and toillustrate certain parts full, clear, concise, and exact description,which would otherwise be concealed; reference beinghad to,theaccompanying Figure at is a vertical sectional view of drawings, forminga part of this specifithe shutter apparatus and the adjacent 65 cation.p p arts of the radiator, certain parts being My invention relates to ashutter apparoken away to conserve space on the drawratus adapted to beused in connection with in the radiator of an internal combustionenigure 5 is a view in perspective of the gine, more particularly anautomobile enshutter carrying sub-frame of the shutter 70 Hgine, for thepurpose of regulating the apparatus, the same being shown as paramountof air. that may pass through the tially disassembled; radiator core," a1 Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the shutter Among-its salient objectsmy invention apparatus removed from the radiator, cercontemplates: tainparts being broken away; i '76 First: The provision of an improvedFigure 7 is a fragmentarysectional view unitary radiator shutterapparatus that taken on either of the lines 7-7 of Fig readily may beapplied toand removed ure 6;

from the radiator when desired; Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional viewSecond: A radiator shutter apparatus of taken on the line 8-8 of Figure6; =80 this class so constructed and arranged that Figure 9 is afragmentary sectionalv view its application to and subsequent removaltaken on line'9-9 of Figure 6;

from the radiator in no way impairs the Figure 10 is a fragmentarysectional view usefulness or appearance of the radiator; taken on theline 10-10 of Figure 6; and Third: An apparatus of this class com-Figure 11 is a front elevational viewed '85 prising shutter bearingsthat are silent in the shell or main frame prior to triing [theiroperation and not at all apt to get out and beading the same to fit anyparticular of order, due to corrosion or oxidization of radiator, aswill be hereinafter explained. the bearing elements or the failure ofthe Similar characters of reference refer to user to lubricate the same;similar parts throughout the several news.

Fourth; An apparatus of this class that In Figures 1 and 2 l haveillustrated a presents a neat appearance and is of sturdy conventionalform of automobile engine and economical construction; radiator,comprising frame 20 and core 21,

Fifth: An apparatus of this class that is and applied thereto by meansof long to capable of being adapted to and applied to slender bolts 22is the unitary self-contained t5 paratus being broken away to disclosethe shell is conformed provide the -1 all forms ofautomobile engineradiators. shutter apparatus of my invention. The Uther features ofnovelty will appear as shutter apparatus consists of two rmcipal thisdescription progresses. parts,.namely, the shell or main rame 23, In theaccompanying drawings illustrat which is the part which is attached tothe 45 ing my invention: radiator, and which encloses and supportsFigure 1 is a front elevational view illusthe other parts of the shutterapparatus, trating the shutter a paratus of my invenand the sub-frame2A, which carries the 'tion ap lied to a radiator, certain parts ofshutters, the shutter operating mechanism,

the shel or main frame of the shutter appa-- the thermostat, and partsappurtenant 5e ratus being broken away to reveal the parts thereto.

therebehind; i As is perhaps most clearly illustra in Figure 2 is a sideelevational view of Figures 1, 3 and 6,, the main e 23 conthe same,certain parts of the radiator and sists of a shell pressed a single pithe shell or main frame of the shutter ap of comparatively heavy: sheetmetal. 1w

flange 23*, the forwardly dished central portion 23*, which receives andsupports the sub-frame, and the forwardly dished upper central portion23, which constitutes a receptacle for the thermostat and thermostatheat insulation presently to be described. The flanged portion 23 of theshell is provided with a continuous bead 25, which provides a.correspondingly continuous groove for the reception of cushioningmaterial, which is preferably in the form of the braided cord 26. I maysay at this point that I prefer to have no other parts of the shutterapparatus than the retaining bolts 22. the so-called heat conductingplate presently to be described. and the braided cord 26 engage theradiator or any part thereof. A plurality of apertures 22 are formed. inthe marginal flange of the shell 23 to accommodate bolts 22, as isclearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. The forwardly dished central portion23 of the shell is provided with a rectangular opening or window 27. Aswill presently appear, all of the air which may flow through theradiator core must find its way through this opening or window 27, whichis adapted to be variably restricted by the shutters hereinafterdescribed.

The metal of the shell is preferably turned rearwardly at the upper andlower margins of the opening 27 to provide the flanges 28 and 29,whereon the sub-frame is mounted and secured. Soldered, welded orotherwise secured to the under surface of the flange 28 is a. strip 30provided at its forward edge I with a downwardly turned lip, which isarranged to interlock with the top edge of the uppermost shutter whenthe shutters, presently to be described, are in closed position. It willbe seen that the shell or main frame is adapted to be secured to' theradiator wit-h the cushioning material 26 lying in immediate engagementwith the radiator frame 21. All air which can pass through the radiatorcore must therefo e find its way through the opening or window 27 of theshell.

The sub-framec24, illustrated in detail in Figure 5, is rectangular inform and consists of the outwardly facing upper and lower channelmembers 31 and 32, and the inwardly facing lateral channel members 33,The upper and lower ends of the lateral channel members 33 are securedto the upper and lower channel members 31 and 32 by screws 34, whichpass through openings in the ears 31, 31 and 32 32. turned inwardly fromthe ends of the said upper and lower channel members, as is clearlyshown iii Figure 5. The rear vertical side of the upper channel member31 serves to carry the thermostat devices, and for that reason, exceptat its central point, where it is cut away to accommodate the thermostathousing, is considerably higher than the forward vertical side of thesaid upper channel member.-

Disposed within each of the lateral channel members 33 of the sub-frameis a nonmetallic bar 35, having a plurality of apertures 35 formedtherein for the reception of the shutter trunnions presently to bedescribed. Bars 35 are held in position by the screws 34, which serve tosecure thesub-frame channel'members together, each of the bars 35 beingnotched at its upper and lower ends to accommodate the ears 31 and 32 ofthe upper and lower channel members. This arrangement is clearly shownat the left hand side of Figure 5. The bars 35 are formed of one of thenonmetallic synthetic sub-stances, one of which, the material known inthe trade as condelnsite has been found to give excellent resu ts.

Supported by the sub-frame are the shut-,

in F igure 10. Each trunnion comprises a solid cylindrical bearingportion, a shoulder which bears against the end of the shutter. and ahollow inner end which extends through an opening in the shutter and isriveted in position. I have, found that these brass trunnions 38 and thecondensite hearing bars 35 constitute a very effective means forpivoting the shutters.

The operation of the shutters is practically noiseless. The bearingelements are unaffected by moisture and exposure to the weather, andrequire practically no lubrication to keep them in working condition.

Carried by the sub-frame is a thermostat device, the details of whichform no part of my present invention, the same being described andclaimed in a co-pending application of Charles A. Pipenhagen, Serial No.362,251, filed of even date herewith. I shalltherefore describe just somuch. of the thermostat as seems necessary to a complete understandingof the construction and purposes of the devices of the presentinvention.

Secured to the rear vertical side of the upper sub-frame channel member31. is a heat conducting plate 39 of aluminum or other good heatconducting material, which is spaced from the channel member by heatinsulating material in the form of a wooden strip 40, and is secured inposition by screws clockwisedirection (Figure 41, 41. The heatconducting plate is so disposed that it lies against the front face ofthe radiator core when the shutter apparatus is secured in position, asshown in Figure 4. Carried by the forward face of the heat conductingplate is a drawn steel thermostat housing 42, the annular flange ofwhich is secured to the heat conducting plate by screws 43, 43, and isspaced therefrom by heat conducting material, preferably in the form ofan annulus 44. Since the details of the thermostat per se constitute nopart of the present invention,-I will say. that the thermostat housingcontains heat responsive elements to which heat is conducted from theradiator core by heat conducting plate 39. The heat responsive elementsof the thermostat control a crank 45. which is mechanically connectedwith the short arm of a bell crank lever 46, mounted upon the uppersub-frame of the channel member 31, as shown in Figure 5. The details ofthis mechanical connection between the crank 45 46 form the subjectmatter of a co-pending application of Charles A. Pipenhagen, Serial No.362.250. filed of even date herewith. It will suiflce to say that whenthe heat responsive elements of the thermostat expand under heatconducted thereto by plate 39, movement crank 46 to turn the latter in acounter- 5). The longer arm of bell crank lever 46 is connected by link47 with the shutter operating bar 37, the lower end of said link beingoffset and having a ball and socket connect-ion with a stud 48, whichshutter operating bar.

The shutters are normally held in-closed position by a coiled spring 49.the lower end of which engages in an annular groove in stud 48. and theupper end of which is attached to the lower end of a rod 50, which inturn has its upper end formed to provide a hook engaging in the upperchannel member 31, as is clearly shown at the left hand side of Figure5. Thus it will be understood that spring 49 normally retains theshutters closed. and that expansion of the heat responsive elements (notshown) of the thermostat causes opening of the shutters in opposition tothe tension of spring 49.

The sub-frame is preferably retained in the main frame or shell withoututilizing screws, bolts or other similar fastening means. A plurality ofears 51, 51, conveniently two are struck from the lower sub-framechannel 32 and turned upward- 1y, as shown in Figure 5. A plurality ofcorresponding ears 52, 52, preferably three, are struck from the uppersub-frame channel 31, and turned downwardly, as is clearly and the bellcrankis imparted to crank '45, and this movement is transmitted to bellprojects laterally from theillustrated in Figures 4 and 6. When thesub-frame is assembled within the shell or main frame, .the bottomchannel member 32 lies beneath the shell flange 29 and the ears 51, 51project freely through correspondingly shaped apertures in the flange29. This interlocking relation of channel 32 and shell flange 29 isclearly illustrated in Figure 8. Similarly, when the subframe is securedin the main frame, the upper sub-frame channel 31 lies above the shellflange 28 and the ears 52. 52 of the said upper sub-frame channel extendfreely through correspondingly shaped apertures in the flange 28 and itsassociated weather strip 30. The interlocking relation of these parts isclearly shownin Figure 7.

As an additional precaution I prefer to prevent the lower sub-framechannel 32 and the shell flange 29 from being sprung apart by providinga clip 53, the lower end of which engages over the rear side of thechannel 32. and the upper end of which passes freely through an aperturein the flange 29, and is turned upon itself securely to hold channel 32and flange 29 together. all as is clearly shown in Figures 6 and-9.

It will be noted that when the sub-frame has been assembled within theshell or main frame in the manner hereinbefore described, the thermostathousing 42 lies within the shell receptacle 23. I prefer thoroughly toinsulate the thermostat housing 42 from the shell by means of a woodencap 54. which snugly fits the outer surface of the the'rmostat housingand lies within the space between thehousing and the shell. and is heldagainst displacement bythc shell.

It thus appears from the foregoing description and the accompanyingdrawings that all of the air which may pass through the radiator coremust find its way through the shell window 27. This window is controlledby the shutters-36. which in turn are controlled by the thermostatdevices through a mechanically operating connection. The main framesupports the sub-frame and holds the sub-frame and every part'thereof.except the heat conducting plate. out of contact with the radiator. Thisarrangement and the heat insulation of the thermostat devices insuresthat the thermostat device will respond only to changes in temperatureof the radiator core as such changes in radiator core temperature arecommunicated thereto by the heat conducting plate. The main frame andthe sub-frame and parts carried bv the latter. when assembled andsecured together. as herein shown and described. constitute aself-contained radiator shutter apparatus that may be applied to andremoved from an automobile radiator as.

a unit, without in any way impairing the usefulness of the radiator ordetracting from the appearance thereof when the shutter apparatus isremoved. The particular form of shutter bearings herein shown anddescribed is particularly advantageous in that they require little or noattention, are practically noiseless in operation, and render theshutters exceedingly easy to operate, thus placing little or no stressupon the heat responsive elements of the thermostat when the latter arecaused to expand by heat con ducted thereto from the radiator core.

In Figure 11 I have illustrated the main frame or shell in the form inwhich I prefer to have it prior to being trimmed and bead ed to meet therequirements of any particular type or size of radiator. The shell. asshown in Figure 11, is practically identical with the finished shell asshown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, except that, as shown in Figure 11, themarginal flange 23* has not been cut to size or beaded for the receptionof cushioning material 26.

In quantity manufacture of the shutter apparatus of my invention Iprefer to form up the shell, as shown in Figure 11, and to build up thesub-frame, as shown in Figure 5. When this has been done, it is but asimple matter to finish a shutter apparatus suitable for application toany style or size of radiator. The marginal flange 23 of the shell canreadily be cut to proper size and sha e, and then beaded and providedwith cushioning material 26. Since the sub-frame and all of the partscarried thereby and all of the parts of the shell except the marginalflange are the same for all types and sizes of radiator, a shell of thetype shown in Figure 11 may be trimmed and beaded to meet therequirements of any particular radiator frame, may be provided withcushioning material 26, any one of the sub-frames may be assembledtherein, and the unitary shutter apparatus of my invention is ready tobe applied to the radiator.

While I have illustrated but asingle embodiment of my invention, I donot limit myself to this specific construction. but wish to have myinvention limited only by the terms and spirit of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: c

1. In a detachable front for an automobile radiator. a shell consistingof a single piece of metal having a fenestrated dished central portionbounded by a marginal flange adapted to lie wholly in front of, parallelwith, and in immediate proximity to the forward face of an automobileradiator: said frame being wholly located within the margins of theradiator front and being supported solely by the radiator, ashuttersupporting means disposed in the dished central portion of saidshell and concealed thereby, shutters mounted in said'shuttersupportingmeans and adapted to control the flow of air through the shellfenestration, and means for securing said flange in front of and inimmediate proximity to the front face of the radiator so that allof theair flowing rearwardly through the radiator must enter through the shellfenestration.

2. In combination with an automobile radiator comprising a core andframe therefor, a. detachable front for said radiator including a sheetmetal shell having a fenestrated dished central portion bounded by amarginal flange lying parallel with the forward face of said core andwholly in front of the radiator, said flange bridging contiguous marginsof the radiator frame and core, a shutter-supporting means rigidlymounted within the dished central portion of said shell and concealedthereby, shutters mounted in said shutter-supporting means and adaptedto control the flow of air through the shell fenestration, and aplurality of bolts extending through said marginal flange and theradiator core adapted to hold said detachable front upon and in front ofsaid radiator.

.3. In combination with an automobile radiator, a detachable fronttherefor comprising a shell formed from a single piece of sheet metallying wholly in front of said radiator, and within the margins of theradiator front said shell including a marginal flange'disposed parallelwith and in immediate proximity to the front face of the radiator, and aforwardly dished central portion provided with a fenestration 1ooateddirectly in front of theradiator core, shutter supporting means in thesaid dished central portion, shutters carried thereby adapted to controlthe flow of air through the shell fenestration, and a plurality of boltsextending through said flange and the radiator core affording a firm,detachable connection between said core and said shell. 4. Incombination with an automobile radiator, a detachable front lying whollyin front of and Within the margins of the front face of the radiator,said detachable front comprising an integral shell having afenestration, the effective area of which is subject to regulation, anda marginal flange which is disposed parallel with and in immediateproximity to the front face of the radiator, said flange being beaded atits outer edge to provide a rearwardly opening channel, a cushioningstrand disposed in said channel, and a plurality of bolts extendingthrough said flange and the radiator core adapted to clamp said strandbetween said flange and the front face of the radiator.

5. A detachable front for an automobile to lie parallel with, inimmediate proximity to and wholly within the margins of the ginal flangeadapted to lie wholly in front of and in immediate proximity to thefront face of an automobile radiator, anda forwardly dished centralportion provided with a rectangular opening having the metal at twoopposite margins thereof turned rearwardly to provide reinforcingflanges, together with a shutter unit comprising a plurality of shuttersand a rectangular frame by which said shutters are carried,

' the said shutter frame being attached to I said reinforcing flanges,and means for moving the shutters.

7. In combination with an automobile radiator, a shutter attachmentcomprising a -mar inal flange of sheet metal disposed who ly in frontof, substantially parallel with, and in immediate proximity to theforward face of the radiator, and lyin wholly within the margins of theforwar face of the radiator, a cushioning strip of yielding materialextending along the rear surface of said mar inal flan e at the edgethereof, and a plura ity of b0 ts which constitute the means for holdingthe attachment to the radiator, said bolts extendin through the radiatorcore and through said flange at points spaced from said cushioningstrip.

8. A shutter attachment for an automobile engine radiator comprising amarginal flange adapted to lie in front of, parallel with, and whollywithin the margins of the front face of the radiator, and a strip ofcushioning material extending along the rear surface of said flange atthe edge thereof, said flange being provided with a plurality ofapertures for the reception of bolts which extend through the core ofthe radiator and serve to; clamp said flange to said cushioning stripand the latter to the front face of I the radiator.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 23 day of February,1920.

JAMES F. RALEIGH. Witnesses:

ANDREW Wmranoonn, EDNA V. GUsrArsoN;

